Archery projectile location facility

ABSTRACT

An archery projectile locating facility comprises an elongated body. The elongated body includes a connection facility adapted to connect to the archery projectile. The elongated body includes a microcontroller. The elongated body includes a sensor facility in communication with the microcontroller and operable to detect a flight state. The elongated body includes a transmitter in communication with the microcontroller and operable to broadcast at least one data signal after the flight state has been detected. The at least one data signal includes information generated by the sensor facility.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/198,508, filed 21 Nov. 2018, entitled “ARCHERY PROJECTILE LOCATIONFACILITY,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/621,089, filed 24 Jan. 2018, which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to archery projectiles. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to locating archeryprojectiles after a flight has been initiated.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

Many archery projectiles are lost after flight and are not recovered.For example, archery projectiles that miss an intended target may belost in forests, shrubs, and/or grass.

Many game animals are targeted by hunters using archery projectiles.Many of these game animals are injured after being impacted by anarchery projectile. However, some of the injured game animals may not berecovered by the hunters. Many existing archery projectile trackingsystems may not be adaptable to assist in the tracking of an injuredanimal when the projectile completely passes through the animal or isdamaged from animal movement.

Many existing disclosures on archery projectile tracking systems arebased on the intended use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) forlocation. However, many GPS receivers are too large to be inserted intoa hollow arrow shaft. In addition, a transmitter co-located with a GPSreceiver may not be able to establish a connection with a remotereceiver to transfer GPS based location information when signaltransmissions are blocked by terrain and/or dense vegetation. Manyexisting archery projectile tracking systems are configured to emitradio signals. However, radio signals emitted at a single power levelmay limit the effective range of a directional receiver. For example, anemitter transmitting a high-powered signal may overload the front end ofthe directional receiver preventing the determination of a direction ofthe emitter when the distance to the emitter is a short distance. Forexample, an emitter transmitting a low-powered signal may not bedetected by the front end of the direction receiver preventing thedetermination of a direction of the emitter when the distance to theemitter is a long distance. Many existing archery projectile trackingsystems are configured to emit analog signals. Transmission of multipleanalog signals in a single hunting zone may cause confusion to the usersof one or more receivers.

Many existing archery projectile tracking systems may not be adaptedeasily to a plurality of third-party arrow shafts and/or a plurality ofthird-party broadheads. Employment of many existing archery projectiletracking systems may negatively impact the trajectory and/or the kineticenergy of archery projectiles during flight, especially over rangesrequired in many hunting situations. Employment of many existing archeryprojectile tracking systems may negatively impact the penetration depthinto a target game animal.

What is needed is an improved archery projectile location facility.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an archeryprojectile locating facility. The archery projectile locating facilitycomprises an elongated body. The elongated body includes a connectionfacility adapted to connect to the archery projectile. The elongatedbody includes a microcontroller. The elongated body includes a sensorfacility in communication with the microcontroller and operable todetect a flight state. The elongated body includes a transmitter incommunication with the microcontroller and operable to broadcast atleast one data signal after the flight state has been detected. The atleast one data signal includes information generated by the sensorfacility.

The archery projectile locating facility may include a directionalreceiver. The directional receiver may be adapted to receive the atleast one data signal, such that the elongated body may be located by auser with the directional receiver.

The elongated body may be removably received in a rear aperture of ahollow arrow shaft.

The archery projectile locating facility may include a stop elementconnected to the elongated body and having a radial protrusion.

The stop element may include a cylindrical body adapted to be staked toa rear end of a hollow arrow shaft. The stop element may define a boreadapted to receive a portion of a nock removably connected to the hollowarrow shaft.

The hollow arrow shaft may have a shaft radius. The radial protrusionmay extend to a greater radius than the shaft radius, such that theradial protrusion is adapted to contact target animal tissue to preventthe elongated body from penetrating beyond a target animal even as thehollow arrow shaft may penetrate beyond.

The hollow arrow shaft may have fletching. The stop element may have aplurality of radial protrusions adapted to substantially align with thefletching when staked to a rear end of the hollow arrow shaft.

The radial protrusion may be a planar fin element having a planeparallel to an axis defined by the elongated body.

The stop element may be connected to the elongated body by a tether.

The archery projectile locating facility may include a nock connected tothe elongated body by a tether.

The archery projectile locating facility may include an antenna inelectrical communication with the transmitter.

The antenna may be an elongated wire connected at one end to theelongated body.

The antenna may have a free end free of the elongated body.

The sensor facility may include a temperature sensor adapted to generatetemperature information on the elongated body.

The transmitter may be adapted to transmit the temperature informationas part of the at least one data signal.

The archery projectile locating facility may include an energy storagedevice in electrical communication with the microcontroller and thesensor facility. The sensor facility may be operable to generate energystatus information.

The transmitter may be adapted to transmit the energy status informationas part of the at least one data signal.

The sensor facility may include an acceleration sensor adapted togenerate movement information.

The transmitter may be adapted to transmit the movement information aspart of the at least one data signal.

The elongated body may be slidably received in the hollow arrow shaftsuch that the elongated body is removable from the hollow arrow shaftwith limited force.

The stop element may be connected to the hollow arrow shaft by way of aslip fit.

The elongated body may include a signal designator.

The at least one data signal may be encrypted based on the signaldesignator.

The directional receiver may be further adapted to decrypt the at leastone data signal through employment of the signal designator.

The directional receiver may be further adapted to communicate at leastone of the following to a remote computing device: location information,direction information, temperature information, energy statusinformation, and movement information.

Each of the at least one data signal may be encoded based on a transmitpower level.

The directional receiver is further adapted to decode the at least onedata signal.

A first of the at least one data signal may be transmitted at a firstpower level and a second of the at least one data signal may betransmitted at a second power level. The first power level may bedistinct from the second power level.

The first of the at least one data signal may be encoded with a firstsignal code. The second of the at least one data signal may be encodedwith a second signal code. The first signal code may be distinct fromthe second signal code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facility withan optional compound bow and an optional archery projectile according tovarious aspects of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example archery projectile with an example archeryprojectile locating facility installed according to various aspects ofan embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facility withan optional example hollow arrow shaft according to an aspect of anembodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facility withan optional example hollow arrow shaft according to an aspect of anembodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facilityinstalled in an optional example hollow arrow shaft according to anaspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facility withan optional example hollow arrow shaft according to an aspect of anembodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facilitypartially assembled for insertion into an optional example hollow arrowshaft according to an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facilitypartially installed into an optional example hollow arrow shaftaccording to an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example stop element according to an aspect of anembodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example archery projectile with an examplearchery projectile locating facility travelling through a cavity of atarget animal according to an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example archery projectile penetrating beyond acavity of a target animal, and an example archery projectile locatingfacility separated from the archery projectile according to an aspect ofan embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facilityembedded in a cavity of a target animal according to an aspect of anembodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example archery projectilelocating facility as per an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example data frame of an archeryprojectile locating facility as per an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates an example elongated body of anexample archery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of anembodiment.

FIG. 16 is a state diagram for an example elongated body of an examplearchery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example direction receiver of an example archeryprojectile locating facility as per an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example directional receiversystem of an archery projectile locating facility as per various aspectsof an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example directional receiversystem of an archery projectile locating facility as per various aspectsof an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example data frame of adirectional receiver as per an aspect of an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a state diagram for an example directional receiver of anexample archery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichembodiments of the present disclosure are shown. This present disclosuremay, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an archeryprojectile locating facility. For the purposes of this disclosure,archery projectiles may include but are not limited to arrows and bolts.

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure provide specificinformation related to an injured animal to increase the efficiency ofhunters tracking the injured animal. Employment of the specificinformation may increase the likelihood of successfully finding theinjured animal. Examples of this specific information include but arenot limited to: location of the animal, whether or not the animal ismoving, temperature of the animal, combinations thereof, and/or thelike. Data on the location of the animal or direction to the location ofthe animal may be employed by the hunters to determine a direction tosearch. Accurate data on animal movement may be employed by the huntersto determine when to begin a search. Accurate data on animal temperaturemay be employed by the hunters to determine when to begin a searchand/or whether an animal is safe to approach.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facility 100with an optional compound bow 2 and an optional archery projectileaccording to various aspects of an embodiment. The archery projectilelocating facility 100 may comprise a stop element 6 and a nock 8. Thearchery projectile may comprise a hollow arrow shaft 4, and a tip orbroadhead. The archery projectile locating facility 100 may comprise adirectional receiver 30. The directional receiver 30 may be inelectrical communication with a directional antenna 32. The directionalreceiver 30 may be in wireless communication with the directionalantenna 32. The compound bow 2 may be configured to shoot archeryprojectiles such as the one illustrated for example purposes.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example archery projectile 200 with an examplearchery projectile locating facility installed according to variousaspects of an embodiment. The archery projectile 200 may comprise ahollow shaft 4 and a broadhead 10. The archery projectile locatingfacility may comprise a stop element 6 and a nock 8.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facility 300with an optional example hollow arrow shaft 4 according to an aspect ofan embodiment. The archery projectile locating facility 300 may comprisean elongated body 20. The elongated body 20 may be removably received ina rear aperture of the hollow arrow shaft 4. The archery projectilelocating facility 300 may include a stop element 6. The stop element 6may have a radial protrusion. The stop element 6 may be connected to thehollow arrow shaft 4 by way of a slip fit. The archery projectilelocating facility 300 may include a nock 8 connected to the elongatedbody 20 by a tether 16. The archery projectile locating facility 300 mayinclude an energy storage device 14 connected to the elongated body 20.The energy storage device 14 and/or the elongated body 20 may be coatedin water resistant material (e.g. resin). The archery projectilelocating facility 300 may include an antenna 12. The antenna 12 maycomprise an elongated wire connected at one end to the elongated body20. The elongated body 20 may comprise an Light Emitting Diode (LED) 18.The LED may be activated upon detection of a flight state and/or adetection of impact.

According to an embodiment, a width of an elongated body (e.g. 20) maybe less than 4.5 mm. The length of the elongated body (e.g. 20) may beless than 120 mm. The weight of the elongated body (e.g. 20) may be lessthan 40 grains.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facility 400with an optional example hollow arrow shaft 4 according to an aspect ofan embodiment. The archery projectile locating facility 400 may comprisean elongated body 20. The elongated body 20 may be removably received ina rear aperture of the hollow arrow shaft 4. The hollow arrow shaft 4may comprise fletching 24. The archery projectile locating facility 400may include a stop element 6. The stop element 6 may have a radialprotrusion. The archery projectile locating facility 400 may include anock 8 connected to the elongated body 20 by a tether 16. The archeryprojectile locating facility 400 may include an antenna 12. The antenna12 may comprise an elongated wire connected at one end to the elongatedbody 20. The antenna 12 may have a free end free of the elongated body20. The elongated body 20 may include a signal designator 28. The signaldesignator 28 may be presented or communicated in a variety of ways.Examples include but are not limited to: a barcode, a Quick Reference(QR) code (as shown), an alpha-numeric code, a Radio-frequencyIdentification (RFID) tag, a Near-field Communication (NFC) device,combinations thereof, and/or the like. A distinct signal designator 28may be included for each of a plurality of elongated bodies (e.g. 20) sothat each of the plurality of elongated bodies (e.g. 20) may bedistinguished from each other.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facility 500installed in an optional example hollow arrow shaft 4 according to anaspect of an embodiment. The hollow arrow shaft 4 may comprise fletching24. The archery projectile locating facility 500 may include a stopelement 6. The stop element 6 may have a radial protrusion. The stopelement 6 may include a cylindrical body. The stop element 6 may beadapted to be staked to a rear end of the hollow arrow shaft 4. Thecylindrical body may define a bore adapted to receive a portion of anock 8 removably connected to the hollow arrow shaft 4. The stop element6 may comprise a plurality of radial protrusions. The plurality ofradial protrusions may be adapted to substantially align with thefletching 24 when staked to a rear end of the hollow arrow shaft 4 asshown. The plurality of radial protrusions may have a lower profile thanthe fletching 24.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facility 600with an optional example hollow arrow shaft 4 according to an aspect ofan embodiment. The archery projectile locating facility 600 may comprisean elongated body 20. The elongated body 20 may be removably received ina rear aperture of the hollow arrow shaft 4. The elongated body 20 mayinclude a connection facility adapted to connect to an archeryprojectile. The archery projectile may include the hollow arrow shaft 4.The connection facility may comprise at least one dimension of theelongated body 20. The connection facility may comprise a retentionbutton 22. The retention button 22 may be compressible. The retentionbutton 22 may comprise an O-ring. The retention button 22 may comprise arubber gasket. The connection facility may be adapted to retain theelongated body 20 in the hollow arrow shaft 4. The connection facilitymay be adapted to retain the elongated body 20 in a plurality of hollowarrow shafts with a plurality of rear aperture interior diameters. Theelongated body 20 may be slidably received in the hollow arrow shaft 4such that the elongated body 20 is removable from the hollow arrow shaft4 with limited force. The hollow arrow shaft 4 may comprise fletching24. The archery projectile locating facility 600 may include a nock 8.The nock 8 may be connected to the elongated body 20 by a tether 16. Thetether 16 may be connected at or near the middle of the elongated body20. Connection of the tether 16 at or near the middle of the elongatedbody 20 may reduce the likelihood of premature removal of the elongatedbody 20 from a target game animal. The archery projectile locatingfacility 600 may include an antenna 12. The antenna 12 may comprise anelongated wire connected at one end to the elongated body 20. Theantenna 12 may have a free end free of the elongated body 20. Thearchery projectile locating facility 600 may include a stop element 6.The stop element 6 may have a radial protrusion. The stop element 6 maybe connected to the elongated body by the tether 16. Alternatively, thestop element 6 may comprise a bore adapted to fit over the antenna 12,the elongated body 20, and the tether 16, as shown.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facility 700partially assembled for insertion into an optional example hollow arrowshaft 4 according to an aspect of an embodiment. The archery projectilelocating facility 700 may comprise an elongated body 20. The elongatedbody 20 may be removably received in a rear aperture of the hollow arrowshaft 4. The elongated body 20 may include a connection facility adaptedto connect to an archery projectile. The connection facility maycomprise a retention button 22. The archery projectile may include thehollow arrow shaft 4. The hollow arrow shaft 4 may comprise fletching24. The archery projectile locating facility 700 may include a nock 8connected to the elongated body 20 by a tether 16. The archeryprojectile locating facility 700 may include a stop element 6. The stopelement 6 may be connected to the nock 8 by way of a slip fit. Thearchery projectile locating facility 700 may include an antenna 12. Theantenna 12 may comprise an elongated wire connected at one end to theelongated body 20. The antenna 12 may have a free end free of theelongated body 20.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facility 800partially installed into an optional example hollow arrow shaft 4according to an aspect of an embodiment. The archery projectile locatingfacility 800 may comprise an elongated body 20. The elongated body 20may be removably received in a rear aperture 5 of the hollow arrow shaft4. The elongated body 20 may include a connection facility adapted toconnect to an archery projectile. The connection facility may comprise aretention button 22. The archery projectile may include the hollow arrowshaft 4. The archery projectile locating facility 800 may include a nock8 connected to the elongated body 20 by a tether 16. The nock 8 maycomprise a shaft mating surface 9. The shaft mating surface 9 may beadapted to be removable received in the rear aperture 5 of the hollowarrow shaft 4. The shaft mating surface 9 may be connected to the hollowarrow shaft 4 by way of a slip fit. The archery projectile locatingfacility 700 may include a stop element 6. The stop element 6 may definea bore adapted to receive the shaft mating surface 9. The stop element 6may be adapted to connect to the shaft mating surface 9 of the nock 8 byway of a slip fit. The stop element 6 may comprise a radial protrusion26. The radial protrusion 26 may comprise a planar fin element having aplane parallel to an axis defined by the elongated body 20.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example stop element 900 according to an aspect ofan embodiment. The stop element 900 may include a cylindrical body 28.The cylindrical body 28 may define a bore 7 adapted to receive a portionof a nock. The stop element 900 may comprise a plurality of radialprotrusions 26.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example archery projectile with an examplearchery projectile locating facility travelling through a cavity 40 of atarget animal according to an aspect of an embodiment. The archeryprojectile may include a hollow arrow shaft 4. The hollow arrow shaft 4may have a shaft radius. The archery projectile locating facility maycomprise an elongated body 20. The archery projectile locating facilitymay include a nock 8. The nock 8 may be connected to the elongated body20 by a tether 16. The archery projectile locating facility may includea stop element 6. The stop element 6 may have a radial protrusion. Theradial protrusion may extend to a greater radius than the shaft radius,such that the radial protrusion is adapted to contact target animaltissue (e.g. entrance side skin 41 of cavity 40) and prevent completepenetration of the stop element 6 and the nock 8 into the cavity 40 evenif the archery projectile penetrates beyond the target animal (e.g. exitside skin 43 of cavity 40).

FIG. 11 illustrates an example archery projectile penetrating beyond acavity 40 of a target animal, and an example archery projectile locatingfacility separated from the archery projectile according to an aspect ofan embodiment. The archery projectile may include a hollow arrow shaft4. The hollow arrow shaft 4 may have a shaft radius. The archeryprojectile locating facility may comprise an elongated body 20. Thearchery projectile locating facility may include an antenna 12. Theantenna 12 may comprise an elongated wire connected at one end to theelongated body 20. The archery projectile locating facility may includea nock 8. The nock 8 may be connected to the elongated body 20 by atether 16. The archery projectile locating facility may include a stopelement 6. The stop element 6 may have a radial protrusion. The radialprotrusion may extend to a greater radius than the shaft radius, suchthat the radial protrusion is adapted to contact target animal tissue(e.g. entrance side skin 41 of cavity 40) to prevent the elongated body20 from penetrating beyond a target animal (e.g. exit side skin 43 ofcavity 40) even as the archery projectile may penetrate beyond thetarget animal (e.g. exit side skin 43 of cavity 40).

FIG. 12 illustrates an example archery projectile locating facilityembedded in a cavity 40 of a target animal according to an aspect of anembodiment. The archery projectile locating facility may have beenseparated from an archery projectile as the archery projectile travelledinto target animal tissue (e.g. entrance side skin 41 of cavity 40),through the cavity 40, and beyond the target animal (e.g. exit side skin43 of cavity 40). The archery projectile locating facility may comprisean elongated body 20. The archery projectile locating facility mayinclude an antenna 12. The antenna 12 may comprise an elongated wireconnected at one end to the elongated body 20. The archery projectilelocating facility may include a nock 8. The nock 8 may be connected tothe elongated body 20 by a tether 16. The tether 16 may be connected ator near the middle of the elongated body 20. Connection of the tether 16at or near the middle of the elongated body 20 may reduce the likelihoodof premature removal of the elongated body 20 from the cavity 40. Thearchery projectile locating facility may include a stop element 6. Thestop element 6 may have a radial protrusion.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example archery projectilelocating facility 1300 as per an aspect of an embodiment. The archeryprojectile locating facility 1300 may comprise a transmitter 50. Thetransmitter 50 may comprise a temperature sensor 52. The transmitter 50may comprise a processing unit 54. The transmitter 50 may comprise amultiple power digital amplifier 56. The archery projectile locatingfacility 1300 may comprise an antenna 12 in electrical communicationwith the transmitter 50. The antenna 12 may be in electricalcommunication with the multiple power digital amplifier 56. The archeryprojectile locating facility 1300 may comprise a microcontroller 60. Thetransmitter 50 may be in communication with the microcontroller 60. Thearchery projectile locating facility 1300 may comprise a sensor facility600 in communication with the microcontroller 60. The sensor facility600 may comprise the microcontroller 60. The sensor facility 600 maycomprise an acceleration sensor 62. The acceleration sensor 62 may beadapted to generate acceleration information. The sensor facility 600may be operable to detect a flight state. The microcontroller 60 may beoperable to detect a flight state based on the acceleration information.The microcontroller 60 may be operable to detect an impact. Themicrocontroller 60 may be operable to detect an impact based on theacceleration information. The microcontroller 60 may be operable togenerate movement information after an impact has been detected. Themovement information may comprise a binary representation of movementbased on the acceleration information. The archery projectile locatingfacility 1300 may comprise an energy storage device 14. The energystorage device 14 may be in electrical communication with a powermanagement facility 70. The power management facility 70 may comprise anenergy storage monitor 72. The power management facility 70 may comprisea voltage regulator 74. The energy storage device 14 may be inelectrical communication with the microcontroller 60. The energy storagedevice 14 may be in electrical communication with the microcontroller 60through the power management facility 70. The sensor facility 600 maycomprise the energy storage monitor 72. The energy storage monitor 72may be adapted to generate energy status information. The sensorfacility 600 may comprise the temperature sensor 52. The temperaturesensor 52 may be adapted to generate temperature information. Thetransmitter 50 may be operable to broadcast at least one data signalafter the flight state has been detected. The at least one data signalmay include information generated by the sensor facility 600. Thetransmitter 50 may be adapted to transmit the acceleration informationas part of the at least one data signal. The acceleration informationmay comprise binary data on movement information. The movementinformation may be based on the acceleration information. Theacceleration information may comprise acceleration data on three axesgenerated by the acceleration sensor 62. The transmitter 50 may beadapted to transmit the energy status information as part of the atleast one data signal. The transmitter 50 may be adapted to transmit thetemperature information as part of the at least one data signal.

According to an embodiment, an energy storage device (e.g. 14) may beadapted to power a transmitter (e.g. 50) for a range to 12 to 96consecutive hours.

According to an embodiment, a transmitter (e.g. 50) may be adapted totransmit at one or more of a plurality of frequencies. The plurality offrequencies may be part of one or more frequency bands. The plurality offrequencies and/or the one or more frequency bands may be specific to aparticular jurisdiction and/or region of intended use. Each frequency inthe plurality of frequencies may be based on a signal identifier. Forexample, in an example jurisdiction, the plurality of frequencies maycomprise 434 MHz and 868 MHz. A directional receiver (e.g. 30) may beadapted to receive data frames transmitted at one or more of theplurality of frequencies. The one or more of the plurality offrequencies may be based on providing a range of up to 1 to 3 milesbetween the transmitter (e.g. 50) and the directional receiver (e.g.30).

According to an embodiment, at least one data signal may be encrypted.Encryption may be based on a signal designator (e.g. 28). A directionalreceiver (e.g. 30) may be adapted to decrypt the at least one datasignal through employment of the signal designator (e.g. 28). Thedirectional receiver (e.g. 30) may be required to receive or capture thesignal designator (e.g. 28) from an elongated body (e.g. 20) prior todecrypting the at least one data signal.

According to an embodiment, a first of at least one data signal may betransmitted at a first power level. A second of the at least one datasignal may be transmitted at a second power level. The first power levelis distinct from the second power level. The first power level and thesecond power level may correspond to the transmit power of a multiplepower digital amplifier (e.g. 56).

According to an embodiment, each of a plurality of data signals may beencoded with a signal code. The signal code may be based on a transmitpower level of a multiple power digital amplifier (e.g. 56). Adirectional receiver (e.g. 30) may be adapted to decode the plurality ofdata signals. The directional receiver (e.g. 30) may be programmed witha plurality of signal codes. The directional receiver (e.g. 30) may beadapted to select one of the plurality of data signals to decode basedon a received power level. For example, when a high power level for afirst of the plurality of data signals is received, the directionalreceiver (e.g. 30) may be adapted to select another data signal. Forexample, when a low power level for a second of the plurality of datasignals is received, the directional receiver (e.g. 30) may be adaptedto select the second data signal. The directional receiver (e.g. 30) maybe adapted to select the data signal received at the lowest power of alldata signals received at a received power high enough to maintain signalintegrity (i.e. minimal or no loss of signal and/or signal data).

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example data frame 1400 of anarchery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of an embodiment.The data frame 1400 may be transmitted by a transmitter (e.g. 50) of anelongated body (e.g. 20). The data frame 1400 may comprise an energystatus information field 76. The energy status information field 76 maycomprise energy status information. The data frame 1400 may comprise anacceleration information field 64. The acceleration information field 64may comprise acceleration information. The acceleration informationfield 64 may comprise movement information. The data frame 1400 maycomprise a temperature information field 58. The temperature informationfield 58 may comprise temperature information. The data frame 1400 maycomprise a signal code field 78. The signal code field 78 may comprise asignal code. The signal code may be based on a power level employed by amultiple power digital amplifier (e.g. 56) to transmit the data frame1400. The data frame 1400 may comprise a signal ID field 66. The signalID 66 field may comprise a signal designator. The signal designator maybe unique to the specific elongated body (e.g. 20) adapted to transmitdata frames comprising the signal designator.

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates an example elongated body 20 of anexample archery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of anembodiment. The elongated body 20 may comprise an LED 18. The elongatedbody 20 may comprise a sensor facility. The elongated body 20 maycomprise an acceleration sensor 62. The sensor facility may comprise theacceleration sensor 62. The acceleration sensor 62 may be adapted togenerate acceleration information on the elongated body 20. Theelongated body 20 may comprise a charge and/or debug connector 38. Theelongated body 20 may comprise a microcontroller 60. The elongated body20 may comprise a computer readable medium 46. The computer readablemedium 46 may comprise instructions. The elongated body 20 may comprisean oscillator 68. The elongated body 20 may comprise a transmitter 50.The transmitter 50 may comprise a temperature sensor (e.g. 52). Thesensor facility may comprise the temperature sensor (e.g. 52). Thetemperature sensor (e.g. 52) may be adapted to generate temperatureinformation on the elongated body 20. The transmitter 50 may comprise aprocessing unit (e.g. 54). The transmitter 50 may comprise a multiplepower digital amplifier (e.g. 56). The elongated body 20 may comprise anantenna filter 48. The antenna filter may be in electrical communicationwith an antenna 12. The elongated body 20 may comprise a power switch42. The elongated body 20 may comprise energy storage terminals 44. Theelongated body 20 may comprise a power management facility 70. The powermanagement facility 70 may comprise an energy storage monitor (e.g. 72).The sensor facility may comprise the energy storage monitor (e.g. 72).The energy storage monitor (e.g. 72) may be adapted to generate energystatus information. The energy status information may comprise anindication of power remaining in an energy storage device (e.g. 14). Thepower management facility 70 may comprise a voltage regulator (e.g. 74).The computer readable medium 46 may be adapted to store informationgenerated by the acceleration sensor 62, the temperature sensor (e.g.52), the energy storage monitor (e.g. 72), the microcontroller 60,combinations thereof, and/or the like.

FIG. 16 is a state diagram for an example elongated body 1600 of anexample archery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of anembodiment. The elongated body 1600 may be operable to standby at 142.Upon a charger being connected at 160, the elongated body 1600 may beoperable to charge at 140. Upon a charger being disconnected at 162, theelongated body 1600 may be operable to standby at 142. Upon a shot beingdetected at 164, the elongated body 1600 may enter into a flight stateat 144. After a flight state at 144, the elongated body 1600 may beoperable to enter into impact ready at 166. After impact ready at 166,the elongated body 1600 may be operable to enter into a wait state at146. Upon an impact being detected at 168, the elongated body 1600 maybe operable to read data at 148. After data is read at 148, theelongated body 1600 may be operable to enter data ready at 154. Oncedata is ready at 154, the elongated body 1600 may be operable tobroadcast data at 150. Once data has been transmitted at 152, theelongated body 1600 may be operable to return to the wait state at 146.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example direction receiver system 1700 of anexample archery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of anembodiment. The direction receiver system 1700 may comprise adirectional receiver 30. The directional receiver 30 may be inelectrical communication with a directional antenna 32. The directionalantenna 32 may be collapsible. The directional antenna 32 may comprisean assembly of a plurality of directional antenna sections. Thedirectional receiver 30 may be adapted to receive at least one datasignal. The directional receiver 30 may be employed by a user to locatean elongated body (e.g. 20). The directional receiver 30 may be adaptedto communicate with a remote computing device 36. The directionalreceiver 30 and the remote computing device 36 may be adapted tocommunicate via wireless network 34. Examples of the wireless network 34include but are not limited to: Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, Bluetooth, BluetoothLE, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example directional receiversystem 1800 of an archery projectile locating facility as per variousaspects of an embodiment. The direction receiver system 1800 maycomprise a directional receiver 30. The directional receiver 30 maycomprise a decoder 130. The decoder 130 may comprise a processing unit84. The decoder 130 may comprise a signal strength meter 82. The decoder130 may be in electrical communication with a directional antenna 32.The directional receiver 30 may comprise a battery 96. The directionalreceiver 30 may comprise a power management facility 90. The powermanagement facility 90 may comprise a battery monitor 92. The powermanagement facility 90 may comprise a voltage regulator 94. The powermanagement facility 90 may be in electrical communication with thebattery 96. The directional receiver 30 may comprise a microcontroller80. The microcontroller 80 may be in communication with the decoder 130.The microcontroller 80 may be in electrical communication with thebattery 96. The microcontroller 80 may be in electrical communicationwith the power management facility 90. The directional receiver 30 maycomprise a wireless modem 134. The wireless modem 134 may be adapted tocommunicate with one or more remote devices (e.g. 36) over wirelessnetwork 34. The wireless modem 134 may be in communication with themicrocontroller 80. The directional receiver 30 may comprise aninput/output interface 98. The input/output interface 98 may be inelectrical communication with the microcontroller 80. The directionalreceiver 30 may comprise a GPS receiver 86. The GPS receiver 86 may bein communication with the microcontroller 80. The GPS receiver 86 may beadapted to communicate location information of the directional receiver30. The directional receiver 30 may comprise a digital compass 88. Thedigital compass 88 may be in communication with the microcontroller 80.The digital compass 88 may be employed to estimate an azimuth of thedirectional antenna 32. Direction information may be communicated to theremote computing device 36. The direction information may comprise theazimuth of the directional antenna 32. The direction information maycomprise an estimated direction to a transmitter (e.g. 50) of at leastone data signal. The estimated direction may be based on the azimuth ofthe directional antenna 32 and/or the received signal strength of the atleast one data signal. The directional receiver 30 may comprise atrigger 180. The trigger 180 may be in communication with themicrocontroller 80. The trigger 180 may be employed to activate one ormore components of the directional receiver 30. The direction receiversystem 1800 may comprise a remote computing device 36. The directionalreceiver 30 may be adapted to communicate with the remote computingdevice 36. The directional receiver 30 may be adapted to communicate thelocation information to the remote computing device 36. The remotecomputing device 36 may comprise a wireless modem 136. The wirelessmodem 136 may be adapted to communicate with the directional receiver 30over wireless network 34.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example directional receiversystem 1900 of an archery projectile locating facility as per variousaspects of an embodiment. The direction receiver system 1900 maycomprise a directional receiver 30. The directional receiver 30 maycomprise a decoder 130. The decoder 130 may comprise a processing unit84. The decoder 130 may comprise a signal strength meter 82. The decoder130 may be in electrical communication with a directional antenna 32.The directional receiver 30 may comprise a battery 96. The directionalreceiver 30 may comprise a power management facility 90. The powermanagement facility 90 may comprise a battery monitor 92. The powermanagement facility 90 may comprise a voltage regulator 94. The powermanagement facility 90 may be in electrical communication with thebattery 96. The directional receiver 30 may comprise a microcontroller80. The microcontroller 80 may be in communication with the decoder 130.The microcontroller 80 may be in electrical communication with thebattery 96. The microcontroller 80 may be in electrical communicationwith the power management facility 90. The directional receiver 30 maycomprise a wireless modem 134. The wireless modem 134 may be adapted tocommunicate with one or more remote devices (e.g. 36) over wirelessnetwork 34. The wireless modem 134 may be in communication with themicrocontroller 80. The directional receiver 30 may comprise aninput/output interface 98. The input/output interface 98 may be inelectrical communication with the microcontroller 80. The directionalreceiver 30 may comprise a trigger 180. The trigger 180 may be incommunication with the microcontroller 80. The trigger 180 may beemployed to activate one or more components of the directional receiver30. The direction receiver system 1900 may comprise a remote computingdevice 36. The directional receiver 30 may be adapted to communicatewith the remote computing device 36. The remote computing device 36 maycomprise a wireless modem 136. The wireless modem 136 may be adapted tocommunicate with the directional receiver 30 over wireless network 34.The remote computing device 36 may comprise a GPS receiver 186. The GPSreceiver 186 may be in communication with the wireless modem 136. Theremote computing device 36 may comprise a digital compass 188. Thedigital compass 188 may be in communication with the wireless modem 136.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example data frame 2000 of adirectional receiver as per an aspect of an embodiment. The directionalreceiver (e.g. 30) may be adapted to communicate information to one ormore remote computing devices (e.g. 36). The data frame 2000 may betransmitted by a wireless modem (e.g. 134) of a directional receiver(e.g. 30) to the one or more remote computing devices (e.g. 36). Thedata frame 2000 may comprise a frame information field 210. The frameinformation field 210 may comprise frame information. The frameinformation may comprise an indication of frame integrity based on adata frame (e.g. 1400) received from an elongated body (e.g. 20). Forexample, the frame information may be configured to indicate a loss ofdata frames and/or part of a data frame. For example, the frameinformation may be configured to indicate a corrupted data frame. Thedata frame 2000 may comprise an energy status information field 276. Theenergy status information field 276 may comprise energy statusinformation. The energy status information may be received in the dataframe (e.g. 1400) transmitted from the elongated body (e.g. 20). Thedata frame 2000 may comprise a power information field 220. The powerinformation field 220 may comprise power information. The powerinformation may comprise an indication of a power level of the dataframe (e.g. 1400) received from the elongated body (e.g. 20). The powerlevel may be measured by a signal strength meter (e.g. 82) of thedirectional receiver (e.g. 30). The power level may be based on adistance to the elongated body (e.g. 20). The power level may be basedon an angle between the elongated body (e.g. 20) and a directionalantenna (e.g. 32). The data frame 2000 may comprise a signal code field278. The signal code field 278 may comprise a signal code. The signalcode may be received in the data frame (e.g. 1400) transmitted from theelongated body (e.g. 20). The signal code may be based on a power levelemployed by a multiple power digital amplifier (e.g. 56) of theelongated body (e.g. 20) to transmit the data frame (e.g. 1400). Thedata frame 2000 may comprise a movement information field 264. Themovement information field 264 may comprise movement information. Themovement information may comprise acceleration information. Theacceleration information may be received in the data frame (e.g. 1400)transmitted from the elongated body (e.g. 20). The movement informationmay comprise a binary representation of movement of the elongated body(e.g. 20) based the acceleration information. The binary representationof movement may comprise two states: zero movement based on zeroacceleration, and some movement based on some acceleration. The dataframe 2000 may comprise a temperature information field 258. Thetemperature information field 258 may comprise temperature information.The temperature information may be received in the data frame (e.g.1400) transmitted from the elongated body (e.g. 20). The data frame 2000may comprise a signal ID field 266. The signal ID field 266 may comprisea signal designator. The signal designator may be required to decrypt anencrypted data frame (e.g. 1400) transmitted from the elongated body(e.g. 20).

According to an embodiment, a directional receiver (e.g. 30) may beadapted to communicate information to one or more remote computingdevices (e.g. 36). The information may be communicated throughemployment of at least one data frame (e.g. 2000). For example, a firstdata frame may comprise the following data:

-   -   001 BL063 PW045 IX1 M0 TA+28.0 ID0093006A400F44554E45        The first field (001) may represent frame information (e.g.        210). “001” may, for example, indicate good frame integrity. The        second field (BL063) may represent energy status information        (e.g. 276). “BL063” may, for example, indicate 63 percent        remaining battery life. The third field (PW045) may represent        power information (e.g. 220). “PW045” may, for example, indicate        a power level measured by the directional receiver (e.g. 30).        The fourth field (IX1) may represent a signal code. “IX1” may,        for example, indicate a first signal code. The fifth field (M0)        may represent movement information. “M0” may, for example,        indicate zero movement at an elongated body (e.g. 20). The sixth        field (TA+28.0) may represent temperature information. “TA+28.0”        may, for example, indicate a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius        at the elongated body (e.g. 20). The seventh field        (ID0093006A400F44554E45) may represent a signal ID.        “ID0093006A400F44554E45” may, for example, indicate a signal        designator. For example, a second data frame may comprise the        following data:    -   001 BL063 PW026 IX2 M0 TA+28.0 ID0093006A400F44554E45        In this example, only the third field (PW026) and the fourth        field (IX2) differ from the first data frame. In the second data        frame, “PW026” may, for example, indicate a lower power level        than the “PW045” from the first data frame. In the second data        frame, “IX2” may, for example, indicate a second signal code.        Therefore, the data from the first data frame and the data from        the second data frame may indicate that the first signal code        was transmitted at a higher power level from the elongated body        (e.g. 20) than the second signal code. Although these examples        illustrate two data frames from two distinct signal codes,        persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that        additional data frames including additional distinct signal        codes may be transmitted at distinct power levels by an        elongated body (e.g. 20) and received by a directional receiver        (e.g. 30). For example, four data frames may be transmitted in        succession by the elongated body (e.g. 20), each of the four        data frames including a distinct signal code and transmitted at        a distinct power level. A first data frame may, for example, be        transmitted at a maximum power. A second data frame may, for        example, be transmitted at 50 percent of the maximum power. A        third data frame may, for example, be transmitted at 25 percent        of the maximum power. A forth data frame may, for example, be        transmitted at 5 percent of the maximum power.

According to an embodiment, a directional receiver (e.g. 30) may beadapted to select data frames including one of a plurality of signalcodes. Selection may be based on power information. For example, thedirectional receiver (e.g. 30) may be adapted to select data framescorresponding to the signal code received at the lowest power level asmeasured by the directional receiver (e.g. 30) as long as good frameintegrity is maintained.

FIG. 21 is a state diagram for an example directional receiver 2100 ofan example archery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of anembodiment. Upon power up or a switch on event at 198, the directionalreceiver 2100 may be operable to standby at 170. Upon a trigger on eventat 120, the directional receiver 2100 may be operable to send a triggeron signal at 172. Upon a trigger on signal sent at 122, the directionalreceiver 2100 may be operable to receive data at 174. Upon data receivedat 124, the directional receiver 2100 may be operable to update sensordata at 176. Upon completion of sensor update at 126, the directionalreceiver 2100 may be operable to format data at 178. Once the data isready at 128, the directional receiver 2100 may be operable to send dataat 190. After the data has been sent at 192, the directional receiver2100 may be operable to return to data reception state at 174. Upon atrigger off event at 194, the directional receiver 2100 may be operableto send a trigger off signal at 112. Upon a trigger off signal sent at196, the directional receiver 2100 may be operable to standby at 170.

Various embodiments have been presented. Each of these embodiments mayof course include features from other embodiments presented, andembodiments not specifically described may include various featuresdescribed herein.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that componentsshown in and described with respect to the figures are provided by wayof example only. Numerous other configurations are possible.Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure should not beconstrued as being limited to any particular configuration. It will beappreciated that while the disclosure may in certain instances describea single example embodiment, there may be other configurations, shapes,and orientations of facilities and components without departing fromexample embodiments of the present disclosure. A person of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize the applicability of embodiments of thepresent disclosure to various archery arrow shafts, bolts, broadheads,tips, bows, crossbows, and combinations thereof known in the art. Aperson of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that embodiments ofthe present disclosure may comprise fabricated, milled, printed,extruded, molded, combinations thereof, and/or the like parts comprisingone material or a plurality of materials. A person of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that components and elements shown in anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 1-21 are provided by way of exampleonly. Numerous other archery projectiles, bows, crossbows, antennas,microchips, and various archery and electrical component configurationsare possible. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure shouldnot be construed as being limited to any particular archery projectile,bow, crossbow, or archery component. Additionally, it is to berecognized that, while the present disclosure has been described abovein terms of various embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Variousfeatures, aspects, and/or components of the above described presentdisclosure may be used individually or jointly. Accordingly, the claimsset forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth of theembodiments as disclosed herein.

In this specification, “a” and “an” and similar phrases are to beinterpreted as “at least one” and “one or more.” References to “a”,“an”, and “one” are not to be interpreted as “only one”. References to“an” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the sameembodiment.

Furthermore, many features presented above are described as beingoptional through the use of “may” or the use of parentheses. For thesake of brevity and legibility, the present disclosure does notexplicitly recite each and every permutation that may be obtained bychoosing from the set of optional features. However, the presentdisclosure is to be interpreted as explicitly disclosing all suchpermutations. For example, a facility described as having three optionalfeatures may be embodied in seven different ways, namely with just oneof the three possible features, with any two of the three possiblefeatures or with all three of the three possible features.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract of the Disclosure is to enable thePatent Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists,engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patentor legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursoryinspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of theapplication. The Abstract of the Disclosure is not intended to belimiting as to the scope in any way.

Finally, it is the applicant's intent that only claims that include theexpress language “means for” or “step for” be interpreted under 35U.S.C. 112. Claims that do not expressly include the phrase “means for”or “step for” are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112.

We claim:
 1. An archery projectile locating facility comprising: anelongated body; the elongated body including a connection facilityadapted to connect to the archery projectile; the elongated bodyincluding a microcontroller; the elongated body including a sensorfacility in communication with the microcontroller and operable todetect a flight state; the elongated body including a transmitter incommunication with the microcontroller and having a multiple powerdigital amplifier and operable to broadcast a plurality of data signalsafter the flight state has been detected, the plurality of data signalsincluding information generated by the sensor facility; and wherein thetransmitter is operable to transmit a first of the plurality of datasignals at a first signal characteristic and to transmit a second of theplurality of data signals at a second signal characteristic, the firstsignal characteristic distinct from the second signal characteristic. 2.The locating facility according to claim 1, including a directionalreceiver adapted to receive the at least one data signal, such that theelongated body may be located by a user with the directional receiver.3. The locating facility according to claim 1, wherein the elongatedbody is removably received in a rear aperture of a hollow arrow shaft.4. The locating facility according to claim 3, including a stop elementconnected to the elongated body and having a radial protrusion.
 5. Thelocating facility according to claim 4, wherein the stop elementincludes a cylindrical body adapted to be staked to a rear end of ahollow arrow shaft, and defines a bore adapted to receive a portion of anock removably connected to the hollow arrow shaft.
 6. The locatingfacility according to claim 4, wherein the hollow arrow shaft has ashaft radius and the radial protrusion extends to a greater radius thanthe shaft radius, such that the radial protrusion is adapted to contacttarget animal tissue to prevent the elongated body from penetratingbeyond a target animal even as the hollow arrow shaft may penetratebeyond.
 7. The locating facility according to claim 6, wherein thehollow arrow shaft has fletching, and the stop element has a pluralityof radial protrusions adapted to substantially align with the fletchingwhen staked to a rear end of the hollow arrow shaft.
 8. The locatingfacility according to claim 6, wherein the radial protrusion is a planarfin element having a plane parallel to an axis defined by the elongatedbody.
 9. The locating facility according to claim 4, wherein the stopelement is connected to the elongated body by a tether.
 10. The locatingfacility according to claim 4, including a nock connected to theelongated body by a tether.
 11. The locating facility according to claim1, including an antenna in electrical communication with thetransmitter.
 12. The locating facility according to claim 11, whereinthe antenna is an elongated wire connected at one end to the elongatedbody.
 13. The locating facility according to claim 12, wherein theantenna has a free end free of the elongated body.
 14. The locatingfacility according to claim 1, the sensor facility including atemperature sensor adapted to generate temperature information on theelongated body.
 15. The locating facility according to claim 14, whereinthe transmitter is adapted to transmit the temperature information aspart of the at least one data signal.
 16. The locating facilityaccording to claim 1, including an energy storage device in electricalcommunication with the microcontroller and the sensor facility, andwherein the sensor facility is operable to generate energy statusinformation.
 17. The locating facility according to claim 16, whereinthe transmitter is adapted to transmit the energy status information aspart of the at least one data signal.
 18. The locating facilityaccording to claim 1, the sensor facility including an accelerationsensor adapted to generate movement information.
 19. The locatingfacility according to claim 18, wherein the transmitter is adapted totransmit the movement information as part of the at least one datasignal.
 20. The locating facility according to claim 3, wherein theelongated body is slidably received in the hollow arrow shaft such thatthe elongated body is removable from the hollow arrow shaft with limitedforce.